Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Climate Action - Ben Newell

Summary

Ben Yeol, a psychology professor at UNSW, highlights the urgent need for climate action, particularly following the devastating 2019 Australian bushfires. He explains the difference between mitigation and adaptation, emphasizing that both are necessary to combat climate change. Ben urges individuals to take responsibility by reducing their carbon footprint, advocating for climate policies, and addressing climate change skepticism with moral reasoning. He also encourages people to create their own 'climate agreement' to foster collective action, stressing that individual behavior change is crucial for meaningful progress in the fight against climate change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The urgency of climate change is undeniable, as seen in the devastating 2019–2020 Australian bushfires.
• 😀 Climate change is accelerating faster than expected, with greenhouse gas levels now at over 410 parts per million.
• 😀 Mitigation and adaptation are two critical strategies to combat climate change, with mitigation addressing the root causes and adaptation dealing with the consequences.
• 😀 Human behavior is the main driver of climate change, and changing these behaviors is essential to solving the problem.
• 😀 Simple actions, like reducing car use, minimizing food waste, and eating more plant-based foods, can significantly reduce individual carbon footprints.
• 😀 Collective action amplifies individual efforts, and when communities come together, the impact of personal actions becomes much larger.
• 😀 Policy engagement and political advocacy are essential in pushing for national and international climate action.
• 😀 Engaging with climate change skeptics requires providing clear, factual information and appealing to their sense of morality and responsibility.
• 😀 People can make a difference by adopting climate-friendly habits, such as choosing public transport over driving or reducing single-use plastics.
• 😀 Understanding the psychological factors behind behavior change is key to encouraging more people to take climate action.
• 😀 Individuals, communities, and nations must work together to achieve SDG 13, which focuses on urgent climate action, sustainability, and resilience.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's reflection on the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires?

The speaker reflects on the devastating impact of the bushfires to emphasize the urgent and immediate effects of climate change, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of such extreme events on communities.

How does Ben Yeol define the difference between mitigation and adaptation in the context of climate change?

Ben Yeol explains that **mitigation** focuses on addressing the root cause of climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while **adaptation** involves responding to the immediate effects of climate change, like managing the consequences of a sinking ship.

What is the analogy used by the speaker to explain climate change mitigation and adaptation?

The speaker uses the analogy of a sinking ship: **adaptation** would be using a bucket to bail out water, addressing the immediate problem, while **mitigation** would be fixing the leak, addressing the root cause of the problem.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of reducing emissions now?

The speaker emphasizes that emissions are rising at an alarming rate, making the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius increasingly difficult. Immediate action is necessary to prevent further damage and to meet climate goals.

What role does psychology play in combating climate change, according to Ben Yeol?

Psychology plays a key role in understanding the triggers for behavior change. Ben Yeol is focused on how to nudge people to make pro-environmental choices and change behaviors to help address climate change.

What are some simple actions individuals can take to reduce their environmental impact?

Simple actions include reducing car use, increasing public transport, walking or cycling, reducing food waste, eating more plant-based foods, and getting involved in community or political groups to advocate for policy changes.

What is the significance of collective action in addressing climate change?

The speaker emphasizes that individual actions, when aggregated across communities, can have a significant impact on reducing emissions and pushing for larger societal changes. Collective action is key to making a real difference.

How can individuals contribute to policy changes regarding climate action?

Individuals can contribute by joining community, university, or political groups that advocate for climate action, engaging with policymakers, and making it clear that the community wants meaningful change.

What strategies does the speaker suggest to engage with climate change skeptics?

The speaker suggests providing alternative explanations to debunk myths, such as the misconception that the Sun is causing global warming. He also recommends appealing to the morality of taking action, likening it to paying taxes for shared societal benefits.

What is the proposed 'climate agreement' that individuals can create?

The speaker proposes that individuals create their own 'climate agreement' by reflecting on their daily decisions and committing to sustainable alternatives, such as using public transport, reducing waste, or choosing plant-based foods, and involving others in the commitment.